X-ray grids consist of alternating strips of lead and aluminum placed in front of x-ray film to reduce scatter radiation and improve image quality. Grids are characterized by their ratio of lead strip height to space between strips, and their ability to transmit primary radiation while blocking scatter is measured by factors like primary transmission, bucky factor, and contrast improvement factor. Common grid patterns include linear, cross, parallel and focused grids, with linear grids allowing tube angulation without blocking primary rays.
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X-Ray Grids
X-ray grids consist of alternating strips of lead and aluminum placed in front of x-ray film to reduce scatter radiation and improve image quality. Grids are characterized by their ratio of lead strip height to space between strips, and their ability to transmit primary radiation while blocking scatter is measured by factors like primary transmission, bucky factor, and contrast improvement factor. Common grid patterns include linear, cross, parallel and focused grids, with linear grids allowing tube angulation without blocking primary rays.
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X-ray Grids
(Anti-Scatter Grid) Why have a grid?
• Scatter radiation are produced when
primary radiation passes through subject • Without a grid radiographic fog is produced on the film which degrades the diagnostic quality What is a Grid? • X-Ray grids consist of a series of lead strips placed in front of the X-Ray film, and are used in some diagnostic techniques to improve image quality by stopping scatter radiation from reaching the X-Ray film. • Acts as a filter to remove scatter radiation before it hit the film Grid Structure • Composed of high x-ray transmitting material and high x-ray absorbing material, each aligned alternately and regularly • Transmitting material example is aluminium strips • Absorbing material example is lead strips Grid Ratio • Height of lead strips compared to space between strips • R = h/D • Typically 5:1 to 12:1 • any grid in which the lead strips are eight units high and one unit apart will have a grid ratio of 8:1. • The higher the grid ratio, the more scatter radiation is blocked, but then there is also more lead in the grid and therefore more useful X- Rays are blocked, too. Grid Patterns • Linear grid • Cross grid • Parallel grid • Focused grid Linear Grid • Lead strips are parallel to each other in their longitudinal axis • Advantage: allow us to angle the X-ray tube along the length of grid without loss of primary radiation from grid Cross Grid (cross hatch) • 2 grids on top of each other with lead strips of one perpendicular to other • Two superimposed linear grids • Disadvantage: We cant used where angulation of X- ray tube is required Parallel Grid • Lead strips parallel to each other • Strips are never aligned with primary beam since all are vertical (except for strips directly under central ray • Cut off on both sides of film whenever used Focussed Grid • Lead strips are tilted progressively as they move away from centre • Grid focus where perfect alignment of primary beam with lead strips Evaluation of Grid Performance Three factors •Primary Transmission •Bucky Factor •Contrast Improvement Factor Primary Transmission • Primary transmission is basically the percentage of primary X-Rays which pass through the grid and hit the film • Ideally grid should transmit 100 % primary radiation • Measured by using the same apparatus with and without the grid in place. • can also be estimated from the thickness of the lead strips and the gaps in between • TP = IP / I'P x 100 TP = primary transmission (%) IP = intensity with grid I'P = intensity without grid • TP = D / (D + d) x 100 TP = estimated primary transmission (%) D = thickness of gaps d = thickness of lead strips • Grids will generally have a TP between 50% and 75%, Measurement of primary radiation Bucky Factor • The Bucky factor (B) is the ratio of X- Rays arriving at the grid, known as the incident radiation, and those actually being transmitted through the grid. • This measurement is important as it indicates how much we must increase exposure factors when we change from non-Grid to grid technique • B = incident radiation / transmitted radiation
• It is measure of the total quantity of radiation
absorbed from an X-ray beam by grid • It is measured grids ability to absorb scatter radiation. • Higher the bucky factor , greater the exposure factor and radiation dosage to patient Measurement of Bucky factor Contrast Improvement Factor
• The contrast improvement factor (K) is
a measurement of the change in contrast gained by adding a grid in front of the film
• K = contrast with grid / contrast without
grid • K is usually measured at a peak kilo voltage of 100, with a 20cm thick water phantom between the X-Ray tube and film. • The contrast improvement factor is a very useful measurement as it determines how good the grid is at doing its job Moving Grid • moving grids are used to prevent the grid from leaving a visible shadow on the X-Ray film. • Each time an X-Ray exposure is made, the grid moves quickly to a position between 1 and 3cm back and forth from its starting position,